TRAVEL DEAL AVAILABLE OCTOBER 30, 2010
GREECE & DALMATION ISLANDS

Now turning to travel news this week and the hot luxury trend that continues like never before: cruises.

Seabourn Cruise Line is THE luxury cruise line.

It's part of the World's Leading Cruise Lines marketing group, which also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Carnival among others.  

Known as The Yachts of Seabourn, the company specializes in small ships, small enough to fit in many exotic ports that large cruise ships can't reach. All cabins have the best amenities available at sea: designer soaps, flat-screen TV’s, DVD players and Bose Wave Sound systems.
This is top of the line, luxury at its best. The company's fleet consists of six vessels, two of which are under construction.

The hot ship right now is the VIP Seabourn Odyssey. All have a maximum passenger capacity of 450 guests and 225 suite cabins. The reason this ship is so popular: 90% of the cabins have a balcony.  The ships have 11 decks, which is more than any of Seabourn's previous ships, an 11,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa and four alternative dining venues.

Each ship costs US $250 million. 

I have got something to share with you. I have personally been told about some private VIP sales. It’s for cruises that go to Greece and the Dalmation Islands departing October 30th for eight days and seven nights. The trip takes you to Athens, Corfu, Crotia, and Italy, including Venice.

If you're interested in this private sale – it’s first come first serve - write me here at hollywoodtrendreport.com and I'll get you the deal. One trip that has always been a dream for me and I’ve never gone is Greece. If you end up going, write me and tell me all about it. I’d love to see the pictures.

HOLLYWOOD STARS HOME:
BRAD AND ANGELINA

Now moving to Italy and details on the Brad and Angelina’s new mansion.

The famous Hollywood couple have reportedly purchased a new $40 million luxury villa in the hills of Valpolicella, Italy.

It's surrounded by a park and includes two swimming pools with waterfalls and Jacuzzi tubs, a cinema room and a gym.

They wanted something exclusive and in record time to spend the summer vacation in Italy.

The couple and their six children spent several months living in Italy this year while Angelina filmed scenes for her new movie The Tourist in Venice. 

They also own homes in New Orleans, Louisiana and in LA.

TRAVEL:
NEW FIRST-CLASS FLYING FEATURES

When it comes to first class luxury, airlines are now offering new luxuries to recapture first class fliers.

Delta Airlines and American Airlines, the world's two largest carriers, are counting on lie-flat seats and Tahitian crab soup to win back profitable customers

With the easing of an 18-month global slump in first- and business-class travel, Delta's seats that recline 180 degrees into beds and American's Asian-fusion appetizers are lures for the corporate passengers - whose ranks dwindled when the global recession ravaged budgets for international flying.

Filling the premium seats at the front of airplane cabins is pivotal to U.S. airlines' efforts to return to profit in 2010 after weak demand forced them into discounting to woo vacationers.

Hotel Trends 2010:
Todd Avery Lenahan

We now take a look at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and the trendsetting global leader in hotel design and creating spectacular spaces.



Next time you enjoy a hotel room or bask in the beauty of a restaurant’s decor, there's a good chance this man had something to do with it. He takes you to places you've never been.

Todd-Avery Lenahan, of ABA Design Studio, has an international portfolio of interior design work with luxury hoteliers designing their rooms lobbies and lounges. Whether it be for restaurateurs like Wolfgang Puck or leading hoteliers of the Ritz Carlton Saudi Arabia, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons or the Wynn and Encore Hotels, Lenahan delivers exceptional work each and every time. In Las Vegas he designed the most opulent spa in the world at Steve Wynn’s hotel Encore. It is absolutely mesmerizing. You truly have to see it to believe it.

His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Town and Country, Robb Report, and Forbes.

Prior to ABA’s conception, he spent 10 years working for Walt Disney Imagineering, here in LA, responsible for the business’ master planning, creative development, and project management. He left and opened his own design firm.

His vision is magical and when you enter Todd's imagination, you truly enter another world. When you step into his spaces it's no wonder he was named 'Designer of the Year’ in 2008.

I had a chance to sit down with Todd recently. The conversation was a TV interview and then we continued to speak after the interview was done. I didn't want it to end. His enthusiasm for his work and life were notable and his creativity infectious.

A big part of Todd's business is "building green" as per request - but this is high-end luxury green. He says that guests today really appreciate it and they expect it. He says “It used to be sort of an added value to the guest experience to see something called out as being environmentally sensitive. Discerning travelers and guests today expect it and even if they didn’t expect it, it’s something we’re responsible for doing as good citizens.”

He says the essence of the best luxury hotel lies in its ability to access anything you desire. At a five-star hotel, most guests expect to get what they want when they want it, and they expect each hotel to offer a unique experience.

So how does HE feel walking back into his finished beautifully designed space?

“I feel a great connection to it. It feels a little bit like home, but it’s more rewarding to see people in the space and to see them reacting to it than for me to stand in it by myself because the ultimate reward is how it really moves through people and how it excites them and surprises them.”

Todd creates hotels, restaurant, offices and private homes.

If you want to check out Todd’s work visit his website www.abalv.com

FITNESS TREND:
'ELITE' GYMS


A big trend right now has regular gyms turning into luxury gyms which center around well-being and fun. These are called elite gyms or ultimate gyms.

One of the hottest elite gyms is Drive 495 in New York City.

People spend $5,000 for a yearly membership at this club designed by the man who did the Ritz Carlton Central Park South.

At Drive 495 one floor is dedicated to fitness and the other is a golfer's paradise, with three-dimensional simulators that take you through 31 golf courses from around the world.

For $25,000, the unlimited membership gives you 365 days of access to golf lessons or personal training sessions.

Then there are the elite gyms that stay on top of the latest fitness trends to keep members happy such as the San Francisco Bay Club and the Houstonian Club in Houston, Texas.

At the 90,000-square-foot San Francisco Bay Club, located near the city's financial district, there's been a shift away from exercise machines that focus on one plane of movement, like a simple leg lift. Instead the majority of the equipment is free-motion equipment - one piece will move you in 12 different directions.

The Houstonian Club, offers 110 classes per week and has a staff of 30 certified personal trainers who create programs to truly challenge members. Enrollment is from $12,000 to $24,000, before an average monthly fee of $200 kicks in.

It's all in the details...
High-end clients tend to expect the best because they know what's available, with many belonging to multiple facilities due to their hectic schedules and a need for convenience.

At the world's most luxurious gyms you can now find private televisions that display dozens of virtual courses and simulates an outdoor ride. The bike is equipped with handlebars that turn left and right, and you can even choose to compete against the person next to you. You could log on to a Web site afterward and you can gauge your progress or see if you made the leader board.

It's also common now to find exercise equipment fit for pro athletes as well as diagnostic medical tests and endless varieties of spa treatments specially designed to pamper your body.

Luxury gyms are thriving in cities by finding new ways to cater to their busy, health-oriented and often wealthy clientele.

Health clubs are growing their revenues and membership retention by offering more opportunities for people to pay for non-dues-related programs, such as personal training, pro shops, spa services and food and beverages. Clubs drew close to $1 out of every $3 in revenue from non-dues sources.

Now, gyms are more than just a big room filled with fitness equipment. They are upscale, luxurious, very all-inclusive with coffee bars and pools. There's definitely an entertainment value, and you certainly get what you pay for. You really feel taken care of.

Along with going high-scale, workouts are becoming high-tech. LA fitness trainers say women and men can get any fitness regime now on their iPods too.

LAS VEGAS LUXURY POOLS: CAESARS PALACE 'GARDEN OF THE GODS'


Just got back from Las Vegas two weeks ago and then went again this week, so many stories to shoot, couldn't do it in one visit.

Las Vegas remains No.1 trade show destination in North America, hosting the most shows for the 16th consecutive year. The average Vegas visitor's trip is 3.6 nights. One hotel that now has convention size facilities is Caesars Palace. No need for companies to leave the property anymore. A major renovation has gone on with the expanded 5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis. There is the gaming pool, the Fortuna pool, rimmed with an 18-foot waterfall, named after the goddess of good fortune. You will see a cigarette and cigar lady making the rounds of the pools, a mojito cart, even swim-up blackjack in the water.

I sat down with Gary Selesner, President of Caesars Palace up at the Bacchus pool overlooking all the other pools. Here, it's reserved for private parties, invited guests and celebrities. Two pools comprise this VVIP area, which overlooks the entire 'Garden of the Gods' complex. There is also a hot tub and several plush cabanas, offering butler service.

The existing pools (Temple, Venus and Neptune) have undergone repairs. Caesars Palace also now has VIP European-themed plush villas reserved for the most VIP of high rollers.

LUXURY COFFEE: SANANI


The coffee trend continues and the new hot coffee doesn't come from Brazil right now… Yemen is the new hot spot. Described as one of the highest end top of the line exclusive coffees in the world, the new luxury coffee is called Sanani, The Original Mocha Coffee, from the Sanani Coffee Company and Hollywood is taking notice. Celebrities, royals, executives and notables in Europe, Asia and Arabia have enjoyed this rare coffee for more than 400 years. Now, North America gets it. It is sought after by connoisseurs and coffee enthusiasts the world over. Each box of coffee contains only the highest-grade premium coffee from the finest regions of Southern Arabia. Not commonly known is that the root of the word ‘Mocha' comes from the port city of Mocha in Yemen, where the history of coffee trading began. This is the city where the history of coffee trading began. Sanani is so high-end they wont even grind the beans until someone orders them. It's gourmet coffee and it kinds tastes chocolate-y! Get this, it's 100% organic, and has less caffeine! Sanani coffee has been cultivated and processed in the same way for centuries and is grown on terraces in the mountains and dried naturally. Absolutely no chemicals are used. The cost? Each 250-gram (8.8 oz) bag retails for $24 and is packaged in an elegantly designed box. To purchase it in North America, go online at sanani.com.

INSIDER INFO: HOW TO BE A MILLIONAIRE/BILLIONAIRE


So do you have what it takes to be a millionaire/billionaire? You're likely very interested in this story. According to Forbes lastest list, the richest man in the world is Brazilian telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helu. So, What exactly does it take to amass that kind of wealth? Do you have it? There's common denominator of all of those who have gathered huge masses of money. People who are very successful have an incredible sense of optimism, unbounded optimism. They have an insatiable need to win. They don't have the sense of limitations that most people have. There's no limit to their capacity to achieve and keep going. Age and family commitments don't deter them. They say it takes serious guts to abandon the comforts of an office, a two-week paycheck and a decent health care package to start a small business, let alone build an empire. Billionaires have a confidence bordering on arrogance that checks their fear and doubt, even as the bets grow larger and more complicated. Put another way, they have an uncanny ability to shrug off failure. Highly successful entrepreneurs view failure as a way to gather data. That's how they learn. It's part of the process instead of being the end of road.

Trendsetting: Billionaires


You'll be glad to know...the richest people in the world have gotten poorer along with everyone.... just how much?

Well, this year, the world's billionaires have an average net worth of $3 billion, down 23% in 12 months. The world now has 793 billionaires, down from 1,125 a year ago. After slipping in recent years, the U.S. is regaining its dominance as the place for wealth.

Americans account for 44%. Bill Gates lost $18 billion but regained his title as the world's richest man. Warren Buffett, last year's No. 1, saw lost $25 billion as shares of Berkshire Hathaway fell nearly 50% in 12 months. Mexican Telecom model Carlos Slim Helú is #3 even after loosing $25 billion. By the way, William Henry "Bill " Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is a business magnate, philanthropist, author, and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen. He is ranked consistently one of the world's wealthiest people and this is back on top. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of CEO and chief software architect, and remains the largest individual shareholder with more than 8 percent of the common stock. He has also authored or co-authored several books.

HOTTEST L.A. HOTEL AND RESTAURANT/ BAR: "THE BAZAAR" AT THE SLS HOTEL AT BEVERLY HILLS


The hottest food trend this year....bigger than even last year: small portion sizes, tapas style and the absolute hottest place in L.A. to get it is at the world-class: The Bazaar by José Andrés at the new SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. What a spot!!

A new National Restaurant Association survey of more than 1,600 professional chefs says this small portion plating is the the #1 food trend this year. In Hollywood, everyone's eating tiny dishes. The Bazaar is now my favorite and #1 travel pick for those visisting LA. It's got the most amazing decor, designed by famed designer Philippe Starck. Fantastic! You have to see it, and the food, well, it's out of this world.

Each dish better than the next. Chef Jose' Andres' is behind the menu and is partners with the SBE Hotel Group. Andrés has received numerous distinctions for his culinary expertise. In 2006, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington named him the Chef of the Year. Andrés hosts his own show in his home country of Spain. President of SBE is the very debonair Arash Azarbarzin who sat down with me recently to talk about this one-of-a-kind undertaking. SBE is known in Hollywood as the leader in cutting edge dining hippest places like the famed KatsuYA sushi, also my favorite sushi spot in town. It also gets my mega vote for inventive sushi and outstanding decor.

Azarbarzin says the dining experience at The Bazaar is also about 'entertainment eye-candy'. "The Bazaar is really like Alice going to Wonderland. This space is really an experience to be seen and savored. SBE is a muti-concept operator synergizing high-end dining, nightlife, a luxury hotel and film production brands. Created by some of the world's most talented minds, SLS has designs and custom furnishings by Starck, and custom-curated retail by Moss and Pascal Humbert-designed uniforms.

"From the moment you walk in, from the design the furniture the little details that Starck and Theresa Fatino put into place, will just wow you! Every sense will be ecstatic when you walk in" says Azarbarzin and I can't echo that more. I have gone several times and each time, I see more and more things that I didn't notice the time before. Here you get everything from nitrogen cocktails, tarot card readings, cotton candy and foie gras sticks to a caricatures drawn of yourself - all for free while dining on weekends. Azarbarzin says people today want everything - the music to be great, the lighting to be just right, the energy and the ambiance along with outstanding food.

The Bazaar houses furniture from all over the world and It's really three restaurants, all filling the hotels lobby.

There's Bar Centro, Pâtisserie, and Rojo y Blanco.

Rojo serves traditional tapas. Blanca has molecular- gastronomy tapas such as liquid olives and avocado tempura. You can also buy eclectic pieces which are all on display in glass cases. Everywhere you walk - you want to stop and look. The chairs are particularlly beautiful - and each one is different. (my favorite is one with antlers) Bar Centro and the one-of-a-kind gorgeous Patisserie can't be missed.

It is all located in the entrance level of the Hotel. What makes this restaurant so fun and unique is the design and concept of the four separate areas which make up The Bazaar. Los Angeles has never had anything like this, nothing as exciting. Food outstanding, service equal to that.

As far as the hotel...

SLS is a new luxury hotel brand by SBE Hotel Group, which is a division of SBE Entertainment, a company headed by Sam Nazarian.

SBE Entertainment acquires and develops projects, ranging from hospitality to night clubs. The SLS brand of hotels was started by SBE to “redefine” the luxury hotel experience. They aim to have their brand be one of the more dominant forces in the upscale hotel market.

The SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills is the first hotel of the SLS brand. It opened fall 2008. SBE contracted with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. to manage the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. It's a member hotel of The Luxury Collection, which is more than 70 fine hotels around the world. SLS has 297 rooms, a rooftop pool, and fitness center. A notable thing I want to tell you about is: Seven of the 297 rooms are fitness-oriented “lifestyle suites.” with fitness equipment manufactured by Technogym, an Italian-based company specializing in high-end fitness equipment. Technogym has made its Kinesis Personal equipment as well as its trainers available to hotel guests. The starting cost for a room at the SLS at Beverly Hills is around $300/night.

465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A.

310-246-5555

thebazaar.com

CELEBRITY SALARIES:
WHO's ON TOP?


Who are the most powerful and the big money makers?

Ok, I've got the rundown.

At the top of the list, you guessed it, the divine Miss O.

She made last year 275 million dollars.

Oprah is the Queen of all media thanks to her show, real estate, movies, dr.Phil, Rachel ray, the oprah TV network launches this year.

Next in line is an athlete celebrity.Tiger Woods.

He made $115 million last year because of golfing, and so many endorsement deals.

Following him another athlete - David Beckham, he made 250 million signing with The Galaxy, then 35 million a year for endorsements with Motorola, Addidas, Pepsi and Coty.

Beyonces husband, record mogul and performer Jay Z. He made 82 million last year His Heart Of The City tour sold out overnight.and he signed a new deal for 150 million with Live Nation, one of the biggest deals in music history.

Speaking of Beyonce...she made 80 million just by last June thanks to her tour and deals with Armani, American Express, Direct TV, L'Oreal, Diamonds perfume and her clothing line House of Deron.

Teen sensation Miley Cyrus came in at 50 million last year, not bad for a 16 year old...thanks to her TV show on Disney, movies, and her tour.

Gwen Stephani came in at 27 million last year due to fashion line and tour and finally Jennifer Lopez comes in at 7 million dollars.

BIRD DROPPING FACIALS:
HOT HOLLYWOOD TREND


It's the bird dropinng facial masque. At Santa Fe's Ten Thousand Waves spa, the Nightingale Cleansing Mask includes a powder composed of "sanitized droppings" from the tiny wonder-birds. The high nitrogen content draws out bacteria from the skin and breaks down dead skin cells more gently than acid peels. Used for centuries by Geisha in Japan, the facial is "an all-natural way to brighten and smooth the skin."

The Nightingale Cleansing Mask, 55 minutes, $115.

Ten Thousand Waves spa, www.tenthousandwaves.com; Santa Fe, N.M., 505-992-5025

VIAGRA FOR YOU HAIR:
HOT TREND


Viagra for your hair: bull-sperm hair lotion

Hari's, a London salon, combines Pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull sperm Katera root from an Iranian plant to form a protein-packed powerhouse that's recommended for anyone who has fine, over-processed hair or frizzy hair. It's said to nourish, protect and revitalize hair.

Hari's Aberdeen Organic Bull Sperm Hair Treatment, about $100. Hari's Salon; London, England, 0207-581-5211.

CONSPICIOUS CONSUMPTION IS OUT


As people are questioning and frowning upon conspicuous consumption - large luxury companies such as Gucci and hugely paid celebrities such as Madonna are giving back like never before. At the last New York Fashion Week - Madonna and Gucci raised money with a show to raise money for Unicef and for Malawi - the country where Madonna adopted a child and, she says, lost her heart.

Instead of celebrating the opening of its giant flagship on Fifth Avenue with a big spending party in the three-story store, Gucci chose to underwrite the benefit to "give something back." All profits and pledges went directly to Raising Malawi, Madonna's charity, and to the Unicef Schools for Africa effort. Gucci now supports programs in Malawi and Mozambique for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS..

Madonna, the singer and philanthropist says her signing career has allowed her to give back. She says something very big has changed in her since she began travelling to Africa.Madonna's  aim is to create in Malawi, an academy offering education to girls b 2010.

MOST EXPENSIVE KEY CHAIN: MERCEDES BENZ PLATINUM


So you're looking for that special gift.

Want an expensive special gift?

ok how about the most costly key chain in the world.

Go to the Mercedes Benz Canada website and search for item #B6606 0126or description is "luxury key ring, platinum"

Cost? Get ready: $22,239.00 CDN. (no the car is not included)

Ok now if the platinum one is too expensive - you can buy the gold one for just $7,469.99.

Still too much - OK the silver one is a deal! $469.99

The luxurious life


It's always interesting to see how the rich and famous live....so im going to take you to some the mega mansions that have peaked my curiosity.

Tom Cruise has just purchased his 35 million dollars Beverly Hills traditional style home. It wasn't even on the market when he made the offer. Originally built as a 10,000 sq.ft. structure in 1937 - the house has expanded four years ago and now has 7 bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

It sits on 1.3 acre behind gates and a long driveway and has the usual tennis courts and pool.

He used to live right near me - and again it was gated, long driveway - he rented it for years - and he always had his lawn lights shine outward into the street - so it would blind you and you couldn't see in. He used to live steps away from Dr. Phil.

Pals Victoria Beckham and David Backham live in their multi-million dollars house only 2 minutes away now from his new place...but Toms 35 million dollar pad is nothing compared to David Geffen's 100 room Beverly Hills mansion or Bill Gates 66 thousand sq.ft home on the edge of Lake Washington near Seattle that has a 60 foot pool with an underwater music system.

Oprahs place in gorgeous Montecito right next to Santa Barbara, California for 50 million in 2001 is now appraised at 85 million dollars.

She calls it "Promised Land" and is a 23 thousand sq.ft Georgian style home.

She's very strict about privacy on the 43 areas.

At Barack Obama's fundraiser last year, guests were strictly prohibited from entering the house and cameras were off limits to all. Meantime - then there's the issue of selling a home when you're a billionaire. Here's how they do it.

They like under-the radar arrangements. Some just aren't sure they want to sell...so they tell their friends that if they could get such and such a price they would then sell it. Word then is sent out, Prospective buyers see the house 6 to 9 months before it's formally listed.

BTW - Unlike normal people housing market spikes in spring and summer - trophy properties as they're called take off in December (that's also when bonus money comes in for big wigs)

PRIVATE AVIATION


Some interesting stats now on millionaires and the things they do.

The millionaire population grew much faster in emerging markets than in North America last year. The number of millionaires in countries such as India, Brazil, Russia,and China grew 19% compared with only 3.7% in North America but the US still dominates the world with more than 3,000,000 financial millionaires....and when it comes to flying...let's turn to their private aviation.

A private jet aircraft can range in cost from as little as $1800 an hour to as much as $5000 an hour.

It will based on your requirements. You will be in the lap of luxury with an attendant to wait on you hand and foot.

Many of these rentals will take care of your entire trip ensuring your hotel is booked and your rental car awaits. Many times they can even clear your luggage at customs. What if you want to do it?

Well, then there's the idea of you buying a "share" of a plane, with the price pro-rated from the market price of a full aircraft. According to Forbes, as a fractional owner, you have guaranteed access (50–400 hours annually, depending on your share size) to that plane with as little as four hours' notice. Fractional owners pay a monthly maintenance fee and an "occupied" hourly operating fee. The latter is charged only when you or your guest is in the plane, not when the plane is flying to pick you up, or returning to base after dropping you off. You have access to the full fleet of planes and may upgrade or downgrade for specific flights.

At the end of your five-year term, you sell your share back to the company for fair-market value, less a re-marketing fee. A variety of factors may effect the fair market value calculation, and your bottom- line cost is highly dependent on the sell-back process.

Top 10 Benefits of Flying Private:

• Flexibility in destinations
• Avoid crowded commercial terminals
• Flexibility in scheduling and flying
• Streamlined airport process
• Time savings & in-flight productivity
• Business entertaining
• Special cargo handling
• Security

The Carlyle: "Paparazzi Proof" Exclusive Condo


Now from luxury hotels to luxury housing and one of the best in the world is going up right now. It's described as the most exclusive and forward thinking real estate development in the world.

It's being built in LA on the prestigious Wilshire corridor.

A condominium high-rise that is reportedly 'paparazzi proof' - with Isreali VIP trained security guards.

With all the weekly headlines - stars in LA are feeling so threatened, and rightly so, that there was real need for such a building because in Los Angeles, overall, there is a high demand for luxury living and apartments.

The ultra exclusive and luxurious Carlyle Residences is for the celebrity or person who needs privacy, safety and the ultimate luxury.

I was give a tour recently and it's stunning.

They've thought of everything.

Developer Elad Properties and Fendi Casa are joining forces. So here's what you get...

Condos at the Carlyle sell for between 3 and 15 million apiece.

All decorated by Fendi Casa. Words can not explain.

Units are 25 hundred to 5 thousand square feet each.

They have private elevators to each apartment with private back entrance. There are only 78 units.

The 24-storey crescent shaped building allows for even more security due to its design.

24 white glove concierge service is at your disposal and the entire 2nd floor is filled with studio units for your assistants, your own security, your staff..allowing them to be in the same address as you but without being with you. It's all just perfectly thought out.

The Carlyle opens its doors this spring.

Luxury Hotels Hot Trends


It's travel time now - and we're talking about top of the line hotels. Last year, overall, the luxury hotel business made 29 billion dollars. They have yet to suffer from the sluggish economy with occupancy only dropping 1 per cent between January and May of this year.

But luxury hotels are in "re-invention" mode right now.

They have to do more now just to keep you interested.

The only way to do that, since every place has flat screens and amenities - is by 'service'.

The best now stand out because of their service.

What isn't working anymore - is having similar looking properties in different cities around the world.

A company must now keep things fresh - otherwise we aren't impressed.

There are currently at least 150 hotel butler programs around the world and properties are now forced to add more and more services from baby butlers, to bath draw-ers, to laying your clothes out in the morning for you to monogramming your robes before you arrive (that's done at the Ritz Madrid by the way) at Jade Mountain, a Caribbean resort - they place a poem on your pillow at turn down time or you can find a grill on your terrace in Sedona, Arizona with an assortment of meats which are delivered by room service.

And another big trend: targeting the pet owner. Here in California, in Orange County - one very nice place offers Sunday brunch for your pup - where they can sit on the seats and be served by the waitors.